A question that’s puzzled physicists for years may have found an answer, but it’s not what many hoped. A team, led by Mir Faizal at the University of British Columbia, claims there isn’t a straightforward “Theory of Everything” that combines general relativity with quantum mechanics—not in a way that’s purely computational.
This discovery implies that the universe can’t be a simulation, as simulations rely on algorithmic processes. Faizal states, “It is impossible to fully describe all aspects of physical reality using a computational theory of quantum gravity.” Instead, our understanding must go beyond algorithms, tapping into something more fundamental than spacetime itself.
The tension between the smooth nature of spacetime and the unpredictable nature of quantum mechanics has long frustrated scientists. While we can observe the universe, the mathematical tools used to explain its workings often falter when applied to both realms. For years, physicists sought a grand solution, commonly referred to as quantum gravity, that would bridge the two.
Attempts like string theory propose that spacetime and quantum fields spring from a more basic level of information. Yet, Faizal’s team argues there are limits to this idea. They drew on profound mathematical insights from thinkers like Kurt Gödel and Alfred Tarski, who highlighted that some truths in mathematics can’t be proven within their own systems. This concept of incompleteness suggests that our understanding of the universe has inherent boundaries.
Results from these theories led the researchers to believe that physics itself isn’t fully computable. They propose a new framework—a Meta Theory of Everything (MToE)—that sits above the algorithmic layer, enabling scientists to address issues like the black hole information paradox without breaking mathematical rules.
Faizal emphasizes, “Any simulation must follow programmed rules; however, since the essence of reality hinges on non-algorithmic principles, the universe can’t be a simulation.” This insight not only reshapes our grasp of reality but also settles debates about the nature of existence itself.
The study has been published in the Journal of Holography Applications in Physics.
Understanding these concepts better could shift the trajectory of physics, pushing boundaries and leading to new discoveries that we can’t yet imagine.
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